How to Cope with Nicotine Withdrawal

The symptoms of nicotine withdrawal usually peak 2 to 3 days after you quit smoking.

Nicotine is the chemical in tobacco that makes it physically difficult to quit smoking or stop using smokeless tobacco products.

The chemical is flavorless and is not the ingredient in tobacco products that causes cancer (that dubious distinction belongs to tar). Nicotine gives smokers the positive feelings associated with smoking and to hook you.

Nicotine is highly addictive, on par with cocaine and heroin.

Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms

You’ll begin to feel the effects of nicotine withdrawal on a minor level two to three hours after your last cigarette.

Heavier smokers and long-term smokers will experience more intense withdrawal symptoms. When you quit smoking, withdrawal symptoms peak about two to three days after your last tobacco use.

The most common withdrawal symptoms are:

Intense craving for nicotine

Irritability, anxiety, restlessness, or boredom

Depression

Trouble sleeping, including bad dreams and nightmares

Drowsiness

Feeling tense, restless, or frustrated

Headaches

Increased appetite and weight gain

Problems concentrating

Dizziness

Slower heart rate

Constipation or gas

Cough, dry mouth, sore throat, and nasal drip

Easing the Symptoms of Nicotine Withdrawal

You may find it easier to quit by using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).

These products — in the form of gums, patches, sprays, inhalers, or lozenges — supply nicotine, but no tar or the other harmful ingredients found in cigarettes.

NRT products ease your physical withdrawal symptoms so you can focus on the emotional and habitual challenges of quitting smoking first. Seventy to 90 percent of tobacco users say nicotine withdrawal symptoms are the only reason they haven’t given up smoking.

The Different Types of NRT

There are five different forms of NRT approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Speak to your doctor about which one is right for you and best suits your lifestyle. You may combine different forms of NRT but you should refrain from smoking while using them.

Nicotine Patches: Patches supply a measured dose of nicotine through your skin. They are available in different strengths; the best one for you will depend on how heavy a smoker you are and your body size.

Patches are available without a prescription. To wean yourself off nicotine, you’ll switch to lower-dose patches over the course of about eight weeks. The FDA has approved using the patch for a total of three to five months.

Possible side effects of using the nicotine patch may include:

Skin irritation (redness and itching)

Dizziness

Racing heartbeat

Sleep problems or unusual dreams

Headache

Nausea

Muscle aches and stiffness

Nicotine Gum: Many people choose nicotine gum because it is fast-acting — the nicotine is taken in through the mucous membranes of the mouth.

You can pop a piece of nicotine gum whenever a craving hits. It’s available in two strengths and can be purchased without a prescription (over-the-counter, or OTC).

You’ll want to cut back on the amount of gum you chew over the course of six to 12 weeks until you feel ready to quit. The maximum recommended length of use is six months.

If you have sensitive skin and are easily irritated by patches, you might prefer nicotine gum.

Possible side effects of nicotine gum may include:

Bad taste

Throat irritation

Mouth sores

Hiccups

Nausea

Jaw discomfort

Racing heartbeat

The gum can also stick to dentures and dental work

Nicotine lozenges: Nicotine lozenges are available in two different strengths and are sold OTC.

As with other NRT products, you’ll want to wean yourself off them over the course of several weeks. Lozenges should be used for 12 weeks at the most.

Nicotine nasal spray is available by prescription only. The FDA recommends that the spray be used for six months maximum.

The most common side effects last the first one to two weeks and may include:

Nasal irritation

Runny nose

Watery eyes

Sneezing

Throat irritation

Coughing

Nicotine inhalers: A nicotine inhaler looks similar to a large cigarette with a mouthpiece, but it’s actually a thin plastic tube that contains a nicotine cartridge inside.

When you take a puff, the cartridge puts out a pure nicotine vapor that delivers most of the nicotine vapor to the mouth, where it’s absorbed into the bloodstream. Because it looks and acts like a cigarette, it can ease some of the habitual withdrawal symptoms as well.

Nicotine inhalers are recommended for no more than six months of use.

The most common side effects, which mostly occur when first using the inhaler, include:

Coughing

Mouth and/or throat irritation

Upset stomach

Whatever NRT product you choose, always speak with your health care provider about any side effects you may be experiencing.

You should also let him or her know if you are having a hard time quitting smoking or your NRT product. Your doctor may be able to help suggest alternatives.

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